Reaction Unit (South African Police Service)
| South African Police Service Reaction Unit | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1979 – 2001 |
| Country |
 South Africa |
| Branch |
 South African Police Service |
| Role | Medium to High Risk Law Enforcement |
| Size | ~ 150 operators (in 21 Years) |
| Part of | Under control of Regional Riot Units |
| Stationed in | Pretoria, Durban, Bloemfontein or Cape Town |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Major Dantjie Haupt, Lieutenant Tony Bruytenbach, Lieutenant Robby Cook, Captain Pine Pienaar, Captain Mike Vosloo, Warrant Officer Tommy Stewart |
The Reaction Unit originated in the South African Police (SAP) during 1979. It was created out of the regional Riot Units which was the units preceding the Division: Internal Stability, and was created throughout the Republic of South Africa, to address the political instability at the time.
Before 1979 the only police unit who had the capability of addressing high risk operations which involved, but was not limited to Urban terrorism, was the Special Task Force (STF). The STF had only one base at the time which was situated in Pretoria and due to its scrupulous and strenuous selection-and-training process for new operators it was faced with an increased workload and limited resources.
The Reaction Unit was established in 1979 as a support unit to the STF[1] and was tasked with Counter Terrorism Operations. The unit was established under the name 'Task Force Platoon One' and was situated in Port Natal (Durban).
Mission
To combat Urban terrorism,[2] provide specialised support during Rural Operations[3] and assist with Search and Rescue Operations in South Africa.
History
The Reaction Unit was initially established to combat Urban terrorism where and when the Special Task Force (STF) was tasked elsewhere.
The Special Task Force constituency identified that there was a need to expand its capacity throughout the country which resulted in the creation of Task Force Platoon One.
Captain Mike Fryer, the lead training officer of the STF developed and created an eight week training programme to recruit and train members for a High Risk Unit which was tasked to address operations that the task force could not address locally.
Task Force Platoon One which consisted of twenty members, was established in Durban under the command of Captain Casper Claase (see below) and was later renamed as the Reaction Unit when it expanded to Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Diepkloof Unit 2 (Soweto).
In July 2001 the Reaction Unit name was changed to the Tactical Intervention Group (TIG) and was changed again at the end of 2004 to the National Intervention Unit (NIU).
Recruitment & Training
The Reaction Unit recruited volunteers out of the respective Regional Riot Units until the mid 90’s where after new applicants were also accepted from various stations.
The scrupulous and stringent selection process which was followed by an intense eight week training programme resulted in a low volunteer turnout and even a lower number of new members who successfully completed the Training Programme.
The Reaction Unit Selection-and-Training-Programme (RUSTP) was presented twice annually and resulted in an average success rate of five percent and less. It was not uncommon for the various Reaction Units to grow by as little as one member per year.
The culture behind the RUSTP training philosophy was of such nature to maintain respective units at small but strong numbers. This approach ensured that new members excelled steadily under the guidance of experienced operators.
Maintaining respective Reaction Unit’s operators at a lower figure also enhanced team solidarity, secrecy and team security. This made the Reaction Unit a popular choice for tactical support during various High Profile Police Operations.
Commendations
The Reaction Unit No 9 (Durban) received several commendations, 23 commendations which included a Presidential Commendation, was awarded to the unit while it was under the command of Captain Pine Pienaar. The commendations awarded to the Reaction Unit no 9 was a significant consideration when the Reaction Units were Nationalized to its current capacity, known as the National Intervention Unit (NIU).
Badge Design
When the Reaction Unit was first formed it had no identifying emblem. Around two years after the unit’s formation the commander, Major Dantjie Haupt, decided to task all the members of the Reaction Unit No9 to each design and submit a badge. The Badge submitted by Constable Andy Wood[4] (Member mid to late 80's) was selected and became the identifiable emblem of the unit. The Badge contained reference to the Unit’s Station number, which was derived from the Station Number of the Riot Unit of the area from which most of its members were recruited.
Badge Legend
Forged upon a Shield, bearing in gold, the letters SAP, is another Shield, and blazoned upon in Gold an African Fish Eagle with open claws, below in gold is the number in reference to the Unit Station, and above with an unsigned of a Ribbon, is bearing the letters REACTION UNIT Sable; below with an unsigned of a Ribbon, is bearing in gold the name of the Unit Station Sable.
Recognised Badges Issued
| Badge | Station | Province | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Port Natal | KwaZulu-Natal | Issued to Active Duty Members of the South African Police, Reaction Unit, Port Natal, 1979-1994. This badge was only worn with Camouflaged Uniform. | 45 Badges Issued |
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Port Natal | KwaZulu-Natal | Issued to Active Duty Members of the South African Police, Reaction Unit, Port Natal, 1979-2001. This badge was only worn with the Ceremonial Dress. Later during September 1995 when the Camouflaged Uniform was recalled, this badge was also worn with the blue Field Dress Uniform. | 111 Badges Issued |
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Port Natal | KwaZulu-Natal | Issued to Active Duty Members of the South African Police, Reaction Unit, Port Natal, 1979-2001. This badge was issued to members who had five years or more active duty experience. | 10 Badges Issued |
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Port Natal | KwaZulu-Natal | Issued to Active Duty Members of the South African Police, Reaction Unit, Port Natal, 1979-2002. This badge was issued to members who were on active duty at the time, and remained during the transformation, when the Reaction Unit was closed down, and its members transferred to form the core group of the newly created Tactical Unit known as the Tactical Intervention Group (TIG). The Unit Commander, Operational Commander, Training Commander with seven (7) operators formed part of the new Core Group of TIG. | 10 Badges Issued |
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Port Natal | KwaZulu-Natal | Issued to All Members of the South African Police, Reaction Unit who attended the Commemorative Ceremony August 2009. | Over 100 Badges Issued |
Reaction Units
| Unit Number | Station | Province | Service Duration | Total Operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| * RU HQ | Pretoria | |||
| * RU 1 | Pretoria (Yankee Zero) | |||
| * RU 2 | Johannesburg (Diepkloof) | |||
| * RU 3 | Soweto | |||
| * RU 4 | Potchefstroom | |||
| * RU 6 | Dunottar | |||
| * RU 7 | Middleburg TVL | |||
| * RU 8 | Pietermaritzburg | |||
| * RU 9 | Durban | Natal | 1979-2001 | 150 Members |
| * RU 10 | Maitland / Cape Town | Western Cape | 1985-2001 | |
| * RU 12 | Port Elizabeth | |||
| * RU 13 | East London | |||
| * RU 14 | Oudtshoorn | |||
| * RU 15 | Kimberley | |||
| * RU 16 | Welkom | |||
| * RU 17 | Bloemfontein | |||
| * RU 18 | Port Shepstone | |||
| * RU 19 | National Unit (Rosslyn, Pretoria) | |||
| * RU 20 | Colenso | |||
| * RU 21 | Newcastle | |||
| * RU 22 | Pietersburg | |||
| * RU 25 | Alrode | |||
| * RU 27 | Rustenburg | |||
| * RU 33 | Umfolozi | |||
| * RU 38 | Midrand | |||
| * RU 41 | Brits |
Reaction Unit Commanders
| Unit Number | Commander | Period |
|---|---|---|
| * RU 9 | Captain Casper Claase | 1979 - 1980 |
| * RU 9 | Lieutenant Henk Fourie | 1980 - 1981 |
| * RU 9 | Warrant Officer Daan Haupt | 1981 - 1985 |
| * RU 9 | Lieutenant Tony Breytenbach | 1986 - 1988 |
| * RU 9 | Warrant Officer Tommy Stewart | 1988 |
| * RU 9 | Lieutenant Robbie Cooke | 1988 - 1991 |
| * RU 9 | Warrant Officer André Broodryk | 1992 |
| * RU 9 | Captain Pine Pienaar | 1992 - 1997 |
| * RU 9 | Captain Phillip Oberholzer | 1997 |
| * RU 9 | Captain Mike Vosloo | 1997 - 2002 |
See also
- South African Police Service
- South African Police Service Special Task Force
- National Intervention Unit
- South African Special Forces Brigade
External links
References
- ↑ "Reaction Unit - Bloemfontein Provided Assistance to STF". www.gunsite.co.za. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
- ↑ Howarth, Nick. War in Peace. Galago. p. 249. ISBN 978-1-919854-44-1.
- ↑ AL J, Venter. Barrel of A Gun. Casemate Publishers. p. 485. ISBN 978-1-935149-25-5.
- ↑ Louw, Johan (January 1994). "Flight of the Fish Eagle". SAPS Journal: 20–23.
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